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When we first visited Bag, I was astonished at the poverty. I couldn’t t
believe that people in modern Europe were living like this. We found
orphaned children living in squalor, as the relatives hid them from the
authorities. They already found it hard to feed their own children.
Because of the Roma culture in this village, women are not allowed to
leave the village. They must stay at home and mind the children, and do
the cooking, which is usually outside.
In their homes, which are basic breeze block, two roomed dwellings,
there is no running water, no toilets, inside or out. The women and
children only eat once a day, usually bean soup, and dry bread. They
were so thin, and their teeth were gone, which made their appearance not
very comely. They wore clothes that were all full of holes, and dirty.
They have no washing facilities, except the little brook that runs
through the village, as it nestles under a mountain.
Pastor Lajios and Erika, had been in there for 3 years before us. They
tried to get to know and help these simple folk. The men had gone to the
city to look for work, but rarely did they return. With best intentions
they were going to send money back, but depression from being away from
the family took its toll, and drink and drugs, and death took the men.
Over the last 5 years with food, clothes, medicines, educational
supplies have been essential.
We have loved them, and continue to encourage them to not give up. We
have done health talks, about the effect of alcohol, and drugs. Also
hygiene lessons, and how to manage little money. Bag, is another one of
our babies. She is growing nicely, as we show our love and friendship to
the villagers. We bring to the attention of the Authorities the plight
of these people, and now the Government has sat up and listened, and is
building more little breeze block buildings, with three rooms, for the
growing families. We go there twice a year, and put on music events. We
do children and Youth work shops, with dancing and games, which is what
the children love to do. We support Pastor Lajois and Erika,as they go
every week into the village, by paying for their travel expenses, the
least we can do, as they Faithfull do the work, eating and sleeping in
their homes, as members of the family.
We help with Financial needs Food Supplies Clothes Health
issues Spiritual needs
Family Counselling Bereavement Counselling,
Extra tuition in Basic reading and writing for children and for the
Adults
We are investing in their lives, and we are seeing responsible,
worthwhile, talented people emerging from this no-go village
We love them very much, and they love us. I have a little girl named
after me there. Shje is 3 years old.
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